Company wants to introduce marijuana vending machines to Washington

The California company says it wants to bring marijuana dispensing machines to our state, now that Washington has legalized pot. (Image courtesy CannaMedbox.com)

They could be coming to Washington soon: pot vending machines.

Will we see Medbox pot vending machines, right next to the movies in the Redbox machine?

The California company says it wants to bring marijuana dispensing machines to our state, now that Washington has legalized pot.

KING 5 reports the machines are already being used in some states where medicinal marijuana is legal.

The machines require patients to scan a fingerprint that then links them to an on-file prescription for medical marijuana.

In Massachusetts, the pot vending machines are placed behind the counter of dispensaries. Besides your fingerprint, patients also need to have a state ID and a HIPPA compliant user ID card provided by the company.

Medbox is working to adapt the machines for recreational users. They could dispense everything from weed in pill bottles to marijuana-infused foods, lotions or lollipops.

Washington state is still working out rules for implementing the new marijuana law and has until the end of the year to do so.

The CEO of Medbox says they're ready to work with the liquor control board and small businesses through the maze of regulations. He says the machines would ensure that all regulations are followed, taxes are collected and quantity limits are never breached.